Agri Ministry Launches “Matri Van” Initiative as Part of #Plant4Mother Campaign

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th August. The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, led by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has announced the setting up of a “Matri Van” on approximately 1 acre of land as part of the nationwide #एक_पेड़_मां_के_नाम #Plant4Mother campaign.

The initiative, aimed at honoring mothers and Mother Earth, was marked by a tree-planting event at the IARI Campus PUSA, where Chouhan, along with other ministry officials and school students, planted saplings.

During the event, Chouhan said that over 800 institutions under the Ministry participated in the campaign, with an estimated 3,000-4,000 saplings planted across various locations. This massive tree-planting initiative is part of a broader global campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day, June 5, 2024.

The campaign aims to plant 80 crore saplings nationwide by September 2024 and 140 crore by March 2025, contributing to the Government’s Mission LiFE initiative, which promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle. The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change also began tree-planting activities at Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary in June, encouraging individuals to plant trees in honor of their mothers.

Chouhan emphasized the importance of integrating tree planting with sustainable farming practices, noting that trees play a crucial role in improving soil health, water quality, and biodiversity, while also providing additional income sources for farmers through timber and non-timber products. The campaign holds significant potential for combating land degradation and desertification, furthering the Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Chouhan urged all officers, employees, and school students present to actively participate in the campaign, planting trees to pay respect to their mothers and contribute to the well-being of the planet.